Dressing joyfully during pregnancy
I've noticed a few pregnancy questions popping up in the group lately. And while it might be a bit of a niche topic and not be relevant to everyone in the group, I thought it definitely deserved covering.
The main question that keeps coming up is: "How do I still dress joyfully whilst pregnant?"
And it's a good one. Because pregnancy throws a lot at you all at once.
Yes, there's the bump. But it's not just the bump that changes how our body looks. Legs change shape, faces change, feet can go up a whole shoe size. Your energy disappears and getting dressed doesn’t always feel like a priority. I was pretty sick during my pregnancy, I couldn't wear make-up because the nausea meant it literally slid off my face.
And on top of all of that, it's temporary. Which makes it genuinely hard to justify spending money on new clothes when your body is changing month by month, and will keep changing after birth too.
So let's simplify it. Here's what actually matters.
1. Prioritise colour
When everything feels physically in flux, colour becomes your anchor when you get dressed.
You might not know what your waist is doing week to week, but you can still wear your colour season. One thing I find frustrating about a lot of maternity wear is how dull it tends to be. But seeking out pieces in your palette really does make a difference. Your best colours near your face will make you look more awake, lift tired skin, and most importantly feel like you.
2. Adapt what you already own
Buying too many maternity-specific pieces is often where wardrobes start to feel really disconnected from who you are. Yes, you might need a few bump-specific things, good pair of maternity jeans, dungarees, one brilliant stretchy dress. Something that genuinely makes you feel great when you put it on.
But a lot of what you already own can stretch further than you think. Elasticated trousers, wrap dresses, button-downs, layers, tops that pull up easily, these work now and they'll keep working after. If you don't already own these kinds of pieces, you can add them confidently knowing they won't disappear from your wardrobe once the baby arrives. Think of it as building yourself a small pregnancy capsule, fewer pieces, more intention.
3. Lean into the bump
The bump is a shape in itself, and this honestly isn't the time to worry too much about body shape calculations.
I once heard someone say that pregnancy is the only time women are truly celebrated for taking up more space, actually encouraged to show their stomach. There's a bigger conversation in there about why that is (and it’s a bit sad when we think about it) But whilst you are pregnant there is also real joy in it, leaning into your changing body and feeling proud of it.
You do not have to hide your bump. Dress deliberately to show it off, fitted stretchy dresses, cropped layers, wrap styles, elasticated waists worn high. Trying to hide it often makes outfits look heavier, just like when we dress to hide any other part of ourselves.
4. Buy second hand
Maternity wear is one of the best categories to shop on Vinted or eBay. Because it gets worn for such a short window, a lot of it comes up in really good condition, people simply don't get the chance to wear it out. It's absolutely worth a look before you buy anything new, especially for the pieces you'll only need for a few months.
5. Know your maternity-friendly brands
There are some genuinely good options out there. For the high street, M&S, H&M Maternity and ASOS Maternity are worth exploring good range, reasonable prices, and styles that don't feel like you've given up. For something more considered, Seraphine and Beyond Nine both make beautiful pieces that actually think about how a pregnant woman wants to feel, not just how she wants to look (and a lot of them are designed to work post pregnancy as well!)
6. Your mental health is part of this as well
One comment in the group really stayed with me, "I actually think it made such a difference to my mental health…” when she was talking about Joyfully Dressing during pregnancy.
Joyful dressing during pregnancy isn't about looking fashion-forward. It's about not disappearing, it's about remembering that you are still here, inside this changing body and that you deserve to feel good however your body looks.
It’s about knowing your desevere to look good, even when you might not be feeling your best, whether you have morning sickness, feel super tired, and all the rest of the things that happen when you body is growing a baby.
A huge thank you to the lovely Kate, who shared her gorgeous pregnancy outfits with us and proved that joyful dressing during pregnancy is absolutely possible - take a peek at some of her photos from her post here.
Let's get Joyfully Dressed.
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